North Carolina General Statutes 7A-770. Purpose
This Article shall be known and may be cited as the “Sentencing Services Act.” The purpose of this Article is to establish a statewide sentencing services program that will provide the judicial system with information that will assist that system in imposing sentences that make the most effective use of available resources. In furtherance of this purpose, this Article provides for the following:
(1) Establishment of local programs that can provide judges and other court officials with information about local correctional programs that are appropriate for offenders who require a comprehensive sentencing plan that combines punishment, control, and rehabilitation services.
Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 7A-770
- following: when used by way of reference to any section of a statute, shall be construed to mean the section next preceding or next following that in which such reference is made; unless when some other section is expressly designated in such reference. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
- Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
- Sentencing plan: means a plan presented in writing to the sentencing judge which provides a detailed assessment and description of the offender's background, including available information about past criminal activity, a matching of the specific offender's needs with available resources, and, if appropriate, the program's recommendations regarding an intermediate sentence. See North Carolina General Statutes 7A-771
- Sentencing services program: means an agency or State-run office within the superior court district which shall (i) prepare sentencing plans; (ii) arrange or contract with public and private agencies for necessary services for offenders; and (iii) assist offenders in initially obtaining services ordered as part of a sentence entered pursuant to a sentencing plan, if the assistance is not available otherwise. See North Carolina General Statutes 7A-771
(2) Increased opportunities for certain felons to make restitution to victims of crime through financial reimbursement or community service.
(3) Local involvement in the development of sentencing services to assure that they are specifically designed to meet local needs.
(4) Effective use of available community corrections programs by advising judges and other court officials of the offenders most suited for a particular program. (1983, c. 909, s. 1; 1991, c. 566, ss. 2, 3; 1999-306, s. 1.)